Press Releases

Skillz, the leader in mobile eSports, announced today that the world’s first eSports streaming ticker has been released to the public. The new product builds on the recently announced Skillz video broadcast patents, delivering automated play-by-play commentary including stats, facts and real-time matchup information. Skillz ticker technology enhances the company’s eSports broadcast suite to close the content quality gap between eSports streams on sites like Amazon’s Twitch and broadcasts on networks like ESPN, which debuted with SportsCenter exactly 38 years ago today on September 7, 1979.

The eSports ticker is a scrolling text bar inside a video broadcast that offers dynamic facts about the tournament, competitors, streamer and Skillz system trends. The ticker provides context-based statistical information about the specific game in which the players are competing, including worldwide performance averages and all-time high scores. The ticker ensures that competitors receive the recognition they deserve and fans enjoy a richer, more engaging spectator experience.

“In 1979, ESPN debuted, revolutionizing the spectator experience in the homes of fans,” said Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of Skillz. “Now, 38 years later, we are thrilled to announce the first eSports ticker enhancing the viewing experience for millions of eSports fans worldwide.”

Broadcasting has been integral to bringing eSports to the mainstream sports audience, and the Skillz eSports ticker technology improves the content that streamers broadcast on leading sites such as Amazon’s Twitch and Google’s YouTube. Twitch alone averages over 9.7 million daily active users, half of which spend over 20 hours a week on the platform. According to Newzoo’s Market Report, the audience for eSports grew almost 20 percent between 2016 and 2017 to 385 million people total. Newzoo projects 303 million occasional viewers and 286 million enthusiasts by 2020.

In August, Skillz announced that it was granted a patent for the technology behind Skillz Arena, an eSports event platform through which streamers can host and broadcast mobile eSports competitions with up to 50,000 players. Skillz Arena provides streamers, brands, non-profits, and venues the ability to run their own eSports tournaments with real prizes, live video streams, leaderboards, and dynamic overlays that fit seamlessly into a streamer’s existing content.

About Skillz

Skillz, the leading mobile eSports platform, connects the world’s 2.6 billion mobile gamers through competition. In 2017, Skillz was named the #1 fastest-growing private company in America by Inc. Magazine, the first eSports company on CNBC’s Disruptor 50, and the only eSports company on the San Francisco Business Times Fast 100. Over 12 million gamers use Skillz to compete in mobile games across 3,000+ game studios. Founded in 2012, Skillz is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by leading venture capitalists as well as the owners of the New England Patriots, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Mets and Sacramento Kings. To learn more, visit www.skillz.com.